Eastern Missouri Group E-Newsletter
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HELP BRING GREEN JOBS TO MISSOURI -- from Henry Robertson
Tell your state senator and rep to vote NO on SCR 1 and HCR 5.
I'm sure you all voted for Proposition C, the Renewable Energy Standard, in
November 2008. A lot of you worked on the campaign. It passed with 66% of the
vote. Prop C lets utilities generate or purchase renewable power, or buy
Renewable Energy Credits (RECs), which represent renewable energy generated by
someone else.
Last summer the Public Service Commission issued its rules for Prop C. In 2
significant paragraphs, it said that any RECs bought by Missouri's utilities
must represent energy sold to Missouri consumers. This means our renewable
energy dollars would go to companies in Missouri or close enough that they
could easily invest in Missouri projects.
The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) is a standing committee of
the legislature that claims the power to veto administrative rules. On July 1,
JCAR, at the bidding of the utilities, struck down the two "geographic
sourcing" paragraphs. As it stands, the utilities can buy RECs from
anywhere in the country, with no benefit to Missouri.
But JCAR's decision is a dead letter unless the full legislature ratifies its
decision by passing concurrent resolutions. That's what Senate Concurrent
Resolution 1 (SCR 1) and House Concurrent Resolution 5 (HCR 5) would do. They
will be voted on later this month.
Write your Senator and Representative and urge them to vote NO on SCR1 and HCR 5.
You can also call your legislators. Click here to find yours .
Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives--Changes
for 2011
The tax package President Obama signed into law last month has modifications
and extensions for energy efficiency tax incentives for homeowners, home
builders, and appliance manufacturers. Information about these incentives is on
this website: Tax Incentives Assistance Project (TIAP) .
The new legislation includes a one-year extension and revisions for
manufacturers of energy-efficient appliances. The coverage for new home
builders is for both 2010 and 2011. There is a one year extension for home
retrofits but there are important modifications from the 2010 incentives.
(Thanks to American Council for Energy Efficient Economy for this update.)
EMG Conservation Committee Meeting
Tuesday, Feb 08, 2011, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
EMG Office, 7164 Manchester, Maplewood, MO 63143 (map)
We will hear reports on LaBarque Creek watershed and ongoing events at the
Missouri-Mississippi Confluence.
There will also be a report and discussion of US Forest Service and US Fish
& Wildlife climate change strategies. Both include ongoing work on
Mitigation and Adaptation as well as plans to inform and work with the public.
There will be an update on recent changes in national Sierra Club conservation
programs and possibly an update on 2011 chapter conservation campaigns.
For more information contact Becky Denney at 314-645-3394. Check out our meetings calendar at EMG
Meetings Calendar.
WHAT IS EPA DOING ABOUT GREENHOUSE GASES?-- from National
Sierra Club
Because of prodding by the Sierra Club and our allies (including numerous state
governments like New York and California) EPA is now using its Clean Air Act
authority to begin addressing catastrophic climate change.
The first major development is a requirement for greenhouse gas (GHG) permit limits
for new and modified sources, which became effective on January 2, 2011.
EPA adopted the "Tailoring Rule" to phase in GHG permitting over the
next few years, starting with the largest sources. It will require new
and modified major sources of GHGs (e.g. over 75,000 tons per year emitted) to
obtain construction permits ("PSD permits") specifically targeting
their GHG emissions. These permits will obligate companies to reduce GHG
emissions by applying the "best available control technology."
For
most facilities, this will mean making design and equipment changes that
increase efficiency and reduce fuel use. A whole slew of industry special
interests have sued to block GHG permiting and the Tailoring Rule, and the case
is pending in the U.S. Court of Appeals in D.C. A final decision from the
court will not be issued until mid-to-late 2011.
In late 2010 there were settlements between the Sierra Club, its allies and
EPA, setting deadlines for "New Source Performance Standards"
(NSPS) for large power plants and refineries, which collectively
make up the majority of GHGs emitted by industry (cars and trucks and
agriculture are also large contributors). These settlements grew out of
litigation brought by the Club and our allies in the wake of the Supreme
Court's decision in Massachusetts v. EPA (a case the Club spearheaded).
The NSPS for power plants and refineries will undergo extensive technical and
legal comment periods throughout 2011 and 2012. We expect and will prod
EPA to require such facilities to adopt the most state-of-the-art technology to
stem their GHG pollution. The Sierra Club will marshall scientists and
lawyers to build the best case for the most stringent NSPS for these
sectors.
Our success will also depend on a widespread show of public and political
support for strong action by EPA.
LaBarque Creek Natural Area -- from
Mike Leahy,
Natural Areas Coordinator
LaBarque Creek Natural Area is a 639 acre natural area in Jefferson County that
encompasses the entire LaBarque Creek Conservation Area. This area lies
at the heart of the LaBarque Creek Conservation Opportunity Area.
LaBarque Creek supports 36 native fish species (including five native darters) -- the highest diversity of native fishes found in tributaries to the Meramec
River in Jefferson and St. Louis counties. Just over a mile of this creek
and its riparian corridor forms the northern boundary of the natural
area. The natural area also contains a mix of over a dozen terrestrial
natural communities that collectively support 499 vascular plant species, 115
moss and liverwort species, and 49 breeding bird species. Natural
communities range from sandstone glades through dolomite woodlands to moist
sandstone cliffs. Numerous scenic wet-weather waterfalls, box canyons and
cliffs are carved in the area’s sandstone bedrock. Nine species of
conservation concern occur on the site.
A nice three mile primitive hiking trail allows public access to the area. However a map is recommended to explore the area. Do note that firearms and archery turkey and deer hunting are allowed, so be aware of these activities and seasons. To access the area: From Eureka, take Highway 109 south to Highway FF, then west to Highway F, then south approximately 100 feet, then west on Doc Sargent Road, then about .50 mile to Valley Drive, and south to the parking lot. For more information on the property or for volunteer opportunities contact the Conservation Department office at 636-441-4554.
Volunteer Opportunity in LeBarque Watershed
The Lum Miller Hollow Project is sponsored by the Labarque Watershed
Stream Team partnership with Missouri Master Naturalist Confluence Chapter.
It is funded by a USF&WS grant. Missouri State Parks are advisors on the
project. It is a conservation project involving trail, grassland, woodland and
glade projects.
The near term goal is the removal, stacking and burning of
downed Eastern Redcedar material. Volunteer dates include Thursdays and a few
Saturdays through the end of March. The work will be done in Don Robinson
State Park, in the Labarque Creek Conservation Opportunity Area. For details
Bob Coffing can be reached at 314-488-4013.
THE NATURAL AREAS WEBSITE
For more information on Missouri's Natural Areas Program see this website.
Also, a new book, Discover Missouri Natural Areas -- A Guide to 50 Great
Places, will be available for sale at Powder Valley Nature Center
and the online Nature Shop of the Conservation Department this spring.
GENTLE HIKES
Member Gloria Broderick has an interest in GENTLE HIKES since she is unable to
keep up on strenuous hikes over hill and dale. She has located some flat,
paved wooded areas all over St. Louis. She will also ask a number
of different organizations to help identify the flora on these hikes to add
interest. If you are interested in GENTLE HIKES that take about an hour, in an
interesting part of St. Louis, send an email to gloriavern@sbcglobal.net.
Visit the Eastern Missouri Group website for more information about outings, activities and issues.
Please consider making a donation to the Eastern Missouri Group today!
Member Sheila Pryor is an experienced backyard organic gardener despite her young age. In November Sheila received an award for promoting community relationships. The award was bestowed by EarthDance, an organic farming enterprise that teaches interns how to grow and market organic fruits and vegetables. Sheila will be our Committee's consultant on this project in Pine Lawn.
For the past 3 months 9 of our core committee members have also been volunteering approximately every other Tuesday morning with the gardening curriculum at Gateway Math, Science & Technology Elementary School in the City of St. Louis where a 10th member of our core committee teaches pre-school. We invite you to join us. Please contact Committee Chair Ginger Harris at gngr8s@gmail.com for dates, times and directions. Our "meeting" on Dec.21 will be at a different location and possibly a different time from our normal 10:00 a.m. start time.